Chargers deny Melvin Gordon permission to seek trade

Melvin Gordon has informed the Los Angeles Chargers that he wants to be traded if he does not have a long-term contract extension in place before Week 1, but it does not sound like the team has any intention of granting him his wish.

Gordon’s agent, Damarious Bilbo, told ESPN’s Josina Anderson that he formally requested that his client be traded after the Chargers refused to increase their contract offer of $10 million per year. The team did not give the agent permission to seek out potential trade partners.

Chargers RB Melvin Gordon's agent Damarius Bilbo tells me he requested a trade last wk for his client, after the team remained at their initial offer of aprox $10M/ year. GM Tom Telesco told Bilbo, Gordon is still family, but Bilbo was not given permission to seek trade partners.

— ig: josinaanderson (@JosinaAnderson) August 1, 2019

The Chargers appear like they are willing to call Gordon’s bluff, as the star running back is reportedly considering sitting out until midseason if he doesn’t get a new deal. He’s set to earn $5.6 million in the final year of his rookie contract this season, and LA has the option of using the franchise tag on him next offseason. That would make the situation even messier, but it gives the team leverage.

Gordon totaled 1,375 yards from scrimmage last season and scored 14 touchdowns in just 12 games, so the Chargers would prefer to resolve the situation before Week 1. However, they do not sound like they want to make him among the highest-paid running backs in football — at least not yet.